A 98-year-old World War II private from Nevada opens the door before being awarded France's highest honor by the U.S. and French ambassadors to France for his bravery as a scout behind enemy lines in Belgium. I'm stunned

Written by Mackenzie Tatanani, Dailymail.Com

15:51 07 January 2024, 16:16 07 January 2024 updated

Henry Robinson, 98, was shocked when ambassadors showed up at his Las Vegas home.
Veterans learn they will be awarded the prestigious Légion d’Honneur
Robinson helped liberate the concentration camp and remained after the war ended.

A Las Vegas veteran who bravely fought in World War II was awarded the highest honor in person by the French government at his home last month.

Private First Class Henry Robinson, 98, was surprised when an unexpected visitor showed up at his Henderson home.

Robinson told KTNV, “I had the French ambassador and the American ambassador come to my house and talk to me on an extraordinary basis.”

He was shocked to learn that the French government had awarded him the French Legion d’Honneur for his bravery during the war.

The 98-year-old took part in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in 1944, serving as a scout behind enemy lines. A year later, he helped liberate the concentration camp and stayed on after the war ended to help displaced people find homes.

Henry Robinson, a 98-year-old World War II veteran, has been awarded the Légion d’Honneur by the French government.

Robinson, affectionately known as “Robbie,” entered the war in 1944 and served as a scout behind enemy lines. A year later, he helped liberate the concentration camp and stayed after the war ended, helping displaced people find homes.

In October 2023, Robinson met with Sébastien Thevenin (left), Honorary Consul of France in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Last month, he was visited by the U.S. and French ambassadors to France, who knighted him.

Robinson was made a chevalier, or knight, a title given only to those who have served at least 20 years in public office, and primarily to those killed in battle.

Sébastien Thevenin, France’s honorary consul for Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, posted a photo of himself with Robinson to X in October 2023.

“I am humbled to meet Mr. Henry Robinson, a 98-year-old World War II veteran who will soon be knighted as a Knight of the French Legion of Honor,” Thevenin wrote. “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

Robinson himself said he accepted the medal in memory of his brothers who died. “I think it’s probably in memory of those who didn’t come back,” he said.

Memories from the war continue to haunt him at 98 years old. Robinson recalled how a seriously injured soldier from the 55th Infantry Regiment was left stranded in a “no man’s land” with no help available.

“There was no way we could reach him to help him,” Robinson explained. So he was outside alone, injured. And then I heard him call, “Mom!” And it stays with you.

Robinson, affectionately known as “Robbie,” was assigned to the 22nd Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division.

Robinson (right) was previously honored in May 2022 and traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of Honor Flight Nevada.

He was among the veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War who visited the monuments and monuments built in their honor.

The 98-year-old took part in the battle in December 1944 and helped repel German forces across the Plum River. He then served as a guard during the Nuremberg trials and was honorably discharged in May 1946.

He entered combat in December 1944 and helped his division repel German forces at the Plum River.

Robinson later served as a guard during the Nuremberg Trials and was honorably discharged in May 1946, returning home.

The 99-year-old was previously honored with a special trip to Washington, D.C., as part of Honor Flight Southern Nevada in May 2022.

He was among the veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and visited the monuments erected in their memory.

At the time, Robinson said she believed participating in the Honor Flight would free her from the shadows of her past.

“You can’t hold on to it forever, but a lot of people do. If you don’t get over it, your lifespan will be shortened,” the veteran explained.

In October 2023, 99-year-old John Godzimerak was also awarded the Legion of Honor at a ceremony in New York.

The Slovenian immigrant was drafted into the 3rd ID’s 7th Infantry Regiment and served in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, according to an Army news release. He was wounded twice.

The 99-year-old earned the Silver Star for repairing telephone lines between two platoons several times during one engagement and for capturing German soldiers who tried to cut the telephone lines.

In October 2023, John Godzimerak, 99, was also awarded the Legion of Honor for his service in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany.

The Slovenian immigrant was wounded twice in the fighting. He earned the Silver Star for repairing telephone lines between two platoons several times and capturing German soldiers who tried to cut the telephone lines.

Like Robinson, Godzimerak accepted this award with his fallen comrades in mind.

“I take it not for myself, but for those who didn’t make it,” Godzimerak said.

He and Robinson join a select few to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor. Robinson is one of 23 Las Vegas locals to receive the award in the past 10 years, and the only surviving recipient.

But Robinson insists he was only doing his duty.

“It’s unnecessary,” he said. “We just did what we had to do. You know, we just did what we had to do, and I think about the players we lost.”

The 99-year-old will officially receive the medal on Monday at a ceremony presided over by Laurent Billy, the French ambassador to the United States.

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